Modern multimedia systems allow you to turn a regular laptop into a powerful entertainment station, streaming content to the big screen without unnecessary wires. Owners of smart TVs Xiaomi Mi TV or Xiaomi TV Stick often face the need to output images from the computer, whether to watch movies, presentations or games. Wi-Fi is the most convenient and aesthetic solution, eliminating the need to stretch HDMI cables through the entire room.
The setup process can vary depending on your laptop’s operating system and the firmware version of your TV. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the methods available, from built-in Windows and macOS features to the use of dedicated streaming apps, and learn how to ensure a stable connection and avoid the latency that is often annoying when wireless data is transmitted.
Before we get to specific instructions, it is worth noting that the quality of the broadcast depends on the speed of your router and the distance to it. To transfer video in 4K resolution, it is critical to use a router that operates in the 5 GHz band, since the 2.4 GHz standard may not cope with the flow of data. Make sure that both devices - both laptop and TV - are connected to the same network, otherwise device detection will be impossible.
Preparatory stage: Network and device verification
Successful synchronization of gadgets begins long before you click the "Connect" button. The first step is to make sure that your router is properly distributing. IP-Often users make the mistake of connecting the laptop to the guest Wi-Fi network while the TV is in the main one, making them invisible to each other on the LAN.
Check your router's security settings. Some antivirus programs or built-in firewalls on Windows can block incoming connections to detect multimedia devices. Temporarily disable protection or add an exception to Multimedia in network settings to avoid connection problems.
⚠️ Note: If your router supports the function «AP Isolation, turn it off in settings, a feature designed to keep devices on the same network from seeing each other, making it technically impossible to broadcast the screen.
It’s also worth updating Xiaomi TV software to the latest version. The manufacturer regularly releases patches that improve the stability of the Miracast and DLNA protocols. Go to the system settings and check for updates to rule out known compatibility bugs.
☑️ Connection readiness
Using the built-in “Projection” feature in Windows 10 and 11
Microsoft’s operating systems have native wireless display technology, which means you don’t have to install third-party software to connect your laptop to a Xiaomi TV. The project is based on the Miracast standard, which is built into most modern Smart TVs, including the Chinese brand.
To start the process, press the Win + K keyboard on your laptop keyboard. On the right, the Connect panel will appear, where the system will start searching for available devices. If the TV is on and on the network, you will see its name (for example, Android-TV or Xiaomi TV) in the list.
Once you select a device, you may see a request on your TV to confirm your connection. Use the remote to accept the connection. If the request does not appear, you may need to manually activate the standby mode in your TV settings. To do this, go to the application menu and start the Wireless or Miracast function.
It is important to understand the difference between modes of operation. You can duplicate the screen, expand the desktop or display only the second screen. Switch between these modes is through the System → Display → Multiple displays. Second screen only mode is useful if you want to watch a movie on TV using a laptop for other tasks.
⚠️ Note: Miracast can be used over Wi-Fi Direct to desynchronize sound and image (latency), which is normal for watching video, but can interfere with dynamic games where every millisecond is important.
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Built-in Windows is the fastest way to connect, requiring no additional software installation, but sensitive to interference in the air.
Broadcasting via Google Chrome (Chromecast Protocol)
Xiaomi TVs are powered by Android TV, which has built-in support for Google Cast technology, which opens up streaming opportunities not only through Windows, but also through the popular Google Chrome browser, a method that is particularly convenient if the standard Miracast connection is unstable.
Open your Chrome browser on your laptop and make sure you're logged in to your Google account. In the upper right corner, click on the three vertical menu points and select "Cast." The browser will scan the network and find your TV.
In the window that opens, you can choose whether to stream a current tab, an entire desktop, or a specific media file. When you select the Translate Desktop option, the image from your laptop will be transmitted to your TV in high quality, a method that often works more stable than the native Miracast, thanks to optimization by Google.
Why does Chromecast work better in some cases?
You can use a smartphone with Google Home to control playback, which allows you to use your phone as a remote, adjust the volume, or pause your video without getting off the couch, and this ecosystem is one of the main advantages of the Android TV platform.
Comparison of data technologies: Miracast, DLNA and AirPlay
Users often confuse different media transfer protocols without understanding which one is best to choose in a particular situation. Miracast creates a direct connection between devices by broadcasting a picture in real time. DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is primarily designed to stream files (video, photos, music) from the server to the renderer, not to duplicate the screen. AirPlay is a proprietary protocol Apple, which is also supported by some Xiaomi models.
If you want to show a presentation or a document, Miracast is the perfect choice, but to view movies already downloaded from your laptop’s hard drive, you’d better use a DLNA-compatible player, as it less loads the processor and provides smoother playback.
MacBook laptop owners should pay attention to support for AirPlay 2 in new models of Xiaomi TVs. If your model does not support AirPlay natively, you can install the AirScreen app from the Google Play store on your TV, which will allow you to stream an image from macOS without dancing with a diamond.
| Characteristics | Miracast | DLNA | Google Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal appointment | Screen duplication | Streaming files | Broadcasting tabs/screen |
| Delay (Latency) | Medium/High | Minimum | Low. |
| Router dependency | High (Wi-Fi Direct) | Tall. | Medium |
| Support for macOS | No, I need software. | Through applications | Through Chrome. |
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Use it. DLNA heavy-screen 4K-files to avoid the jerks characteristic of streaming screen duplication through Miracast.
Solution: Connection and sound problems
Despite the ease of setting, users may face a number of technical difficulties. One of the most common problems is the lack of sound on the TV when successfully transmitting an image. In this case, you need to check the audio output settings in Windows. Click on the speaker icon in tray, select the playback device and switch to your Xiaomi TV.
If your laptop can't see the TV, try rebooting your network equipment. Routers that run for days without interruption can accumulate errors in the ARP table, which prevents you from correctly identifying devices on your local network.
Another common cause of failure is the use of different Wi-Fi frequencies. If the laptop is connected to a 5GHz network and the TV only operates in the 2.4GHz band (or vice versa, in the absence of support for simultaneous operation by the router), some detection methods may not work.
⚠️ Warning: Antivirus suites (e.g. Kaspersky or Kaspersky) ESET) They can block network discovery. Check the Public Network settings in your antivirus and allow data exchange on the LAN.
If the image is twitching or low resolution, check the Wi-Fi channel load. If neighbors use the same channels, interference may occur. Try manually changing the channel in the router settings to a less loaded one (for example, 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz).
Alternative solutions and third-party software
When standard methods fail, specialized programs come to the rescue, and applications like LetsView, ApowerMirror, or AirDroid Cast offer advanced functionality: controlling the TV from a computer, transmitting sound from a microphone, recording a screen, and more.
To install such applications, you need to download the client part both on a laptop and on a TV (via the Google Play app store on Android). TV). After running the program on both devices and entering PIN-code-scan QR-code is conjugated.
These programs often overcome the limitations of operating systems, for example, they can stream sound from any application, even if the system blocks transmission over the standard protocol, but it is worth remembering that the free functionality of such programs is often limited in time or image quality.
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Third-party apps are a great solution for complex use cases, but can add additional latency and require subscriptions for full functionality.